Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1887-10-28
SHEPHERDSTOWN W. VA, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2S 1881

cap on. | shall carry him back to the
poor house because he will not tell me
the truth"
why, don't want to go back" said
Tommy, very soberly. But still he de-
MED taking the gum drops. Mr.. Pritch-
ard told his wife 20 get the boy ready.
She cried as she brought ont his little
w.,u, coat and cap, and put them on
him. But Tommy did not cry. He
comprehended that injustice was being
done to him, aud he knit his baby brow
and held his lips tight. The horse was
brought round. Mr.. Pritchard came in
for the boy. l think he believed up to
The last moment chat Tommy would
confess, but the little fellow stood stead
iaS'.
He Was lifted into the wagon. Such Il
little boy he never looked as they drove
away. He thought of the cold, fOrlorn
house TO which be was returning and
shud tered. The helpless old women,
The jeering boys, the night of terror
all these he thought of, when, with pale
face and blue lips, he was taken down
from the wagon and sent up the house.
Farmer Pritchard watched him as he
went up the steps, slow. forlorn little
l..
cut for an explanation. Ii was given,
and the farmer drove away.
The farmer laid fresh supply of gum
crops on his bureau that night, and
thought grimly that :hese were safe.
lie retired early, not knowing what else
10 do; but his sleep was broken.
Mrs. Pritchard could not sleep at ALL
The tears stole through her eyelids long
after the candle was put out and the
house was still. She was thinking of
the little boy, even then, perhaps, cow
ering in his bed with terror.
Suddenly, a curious, small sound at
tracted her attention. 1t was repeated
again and again, and now and then there
was tiny rustic of paper. The sound
came from the bureau. She listened in
tently, aud her heart beat loud with eX-
element. She knew the sound we'll.
Joseph - she whispered, Joseph !"
"What, Lucy" said her husband, in
a voice that sounded as if he, too, had
been lying awake.
Did you hear that noise, Joseph? It's
mice?"
81 know it. What of IL"
''II's mice, Joseph, and they're after
your gum drops"
Good gracious, Lucy! y grOaned farm
er P,itchard upon his pillow. 1t flashed
upon him instantly. He, and not Tom
my, was the sinner. The noise stopped.
The little depredators were frightened,
but soon began again. And rare feast
they made OF it.
1t seemed as if that night would never
end. The farmer heard every hour the
clock struck, and at live he got up and
made fire in the kitchen. His wife
arose at the same time and began to get
breakfast.
IL won't wait for breakfas," he said.
"You can have it hot and ready when
we get back. I'll harness up and start
now, so as to get over there by dawn"
In a few minutes the wheels rolled
noisily over the frozen ground, and away
drove Mr.. ?ritchard.
Mrs. Pri;hchard brought out the top
and the primer again, and made the
kitchen look it's very cheerfulest. Then
she got breakfast. She baked potatoes,
and fried Il chicken and made fritters.
She put the incest syrup on the tables,
ami a plate of jelly tarts. She laid Tom
my's plate and knife and fork in their
places, and set up the chair. She went
to the cOor and looked up the road.
Yes, they were comingg They drove
into the yard; they stopped at the door,
and the wondering, smiling little Tom
my was lifted down IN Mrs. Pritchard's
arms. She held him very tight.
80, my lamb my blessiDg" she mur-
INJURED, woman-likc.
Lucy, come, let's have breakfast
now," said the farmer, cheerfully.
This little chaps hungry. He's our
little boy now, Lucy. He's never going
away from us again"